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SOS Quarterly Newsletter
WINTER 2016
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Happy New Year SOS Ohana!
Halloween Party
2
Veterans Day Ceremony
3
Fall Dinner
4
Holiday Gathering
5
Snowball Express
6
cy activities include self care activities on Family Support Nights and Fridays with Friends,
Events with the SFAC
8
Yoga with Katie, MFLC support and programming for our SOS Youth. We are excited to
Finance News
9
have our new Financial Counselor, Teresa Hopkins, on board as well to support our families.
Tax Prep Information
10
Angelversaries
11
Calendar
12
Last year brought many transitions to the program with the retirement of Lis Olsen
and our move to Schofield Barracks. Another year is upon us and our focus for 2016 is build-
ing resiliency through our journeys with grief. This year, we’ve added special programming to
incorporate resiliency into Survivor Outreach Services (SOS). Examples of upcoming resilien-
Please take a look at the upcoming events listed on our calendar (pg. 12). During
Family Support Night on Thursday, February 11, our families will place roses on the memorial
stone to honor our loved ones. TAPS Regional Conference is quickly approaching us. This
year’s conference takes place from Friday, February 26 - Sunday, February 28 at Marine Corps
Base Hawaii (Kaneohe). On Friday, March 25 we will host an Easter Event with an egg hunt
for the SOS youth.
Please be sure to keep your updated contact information on file with us so we can
Moved? Changed your
number? New e-mail
address? Please be sure to
update us with any
changes to your contact
information so we can
ensure you receive the
latest updates and
Information regarding
Survivor Outreach
Services events. Please
e-mail any changes to
Cathy Ignacio.
ensure you receive the latest information and updates on SOS events. We understand the new
If you would prefer to
receive this Newsletter
electronically please
let us know.
Schofield Barracks, HI 96857
year might bring challenges in your healing process with grief, but please know we will always
be here to support you and ensure that your Fallen Hero’s legacy carries on.
-SOS Staff
SURVIVOR OUTREACH SERVICES CONTACTS
371 Brannon Road Bldg 663
Hank Cashen, SFAC Director/SOS Program Manager: [email protected]
Cathy Ignacio, SOS Support Coordinator [email protected]
Teresa Hopkins, SOS Financial Counselor: [email protected]
Main Line: 808-655-7171
Support Coordinator Line: 808-655-8432
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SOS family and friends gathered on
Thursday, October 29 for a Halloween Party.
SOS children painted pumpkins and participated
in Halloween activities. All attendees worked on
a collaborative memorial pumpkin to remember
our service members.
2

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HAWAII STATE VETERANS CEMETARY - KANEOHE, HAWAII

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On Wednesday,
November 11, 2015,

SOS families and
friends attended the

annual Veterans Day
Ceremony at the

Hawaii State Veterans
Cemetery in Kaneohe.

Gold star children

placed leis in
remembrance of fallen

service members.






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
3
SOS hosted a fall dinner on Friday, November 20 to celebrate Thanksgiving. SOS families connected
over a wide variety of delicious foods. SOS children worked on mason jar luminaries for the memorial vigil
during the SOS Holiday Gathering.
4
SOS Family and friends came together on Saturday,
December 5, 2015 to celebrate the holiday season. Gold Star
Children received a surprise visit from Santa Claus and ensured
he knew what items were on their Christmas list. After dinner,
everyone gathered by the memorial stone and lit mason jar
luminaries in remembrance of our fallen service members.
5
SOS welcomes our new Military and
Family Life Counselor, Melynnda. She
brings extensive experience with families
and we are very excited to have her on
board with us. She can be reached at
(808) 222-1089.
6
From December 12-16, 2015, SOS Gold
Star Children attended the tenth annual Snowball
Express program in Dallas, Texas. Our children
received the VIP treatment and participated in
activities like the Lieutenant Dan Band Concert.
For more information, visit Snowballexpress.org.
7
Holidays with the Soldier &
Family Assistance Center
The Warriors in Transition Battalion's Soldier
and Family Assistance Center invited Survivor
Outreach Services to participate in their holiday
events. SOS Families attended the SFAC Thanksgiving
and Christmas dinners.
IN LOVING MEMORY
SSG Randy S. Agno
Memorial Classroom Dedication Ceremony
November 10, 2015
8
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou from your Survivor Outreach Services Financial Counselor!
It’s that time of the year again…
Tax returns for Minor Children
Being a minor does not exempt the child from filing a tax return. Please remember, some surviving children have taxable
benefits. The Defense Finance and Accounting Services provides a 1099R form to children receiving a Survivor Benefit Plan (SB P).
Other examples of taxable benefits include: receipt of Social Security benefits and interests or dividends of investments. If a return
was not filed in a prior year, it does not mean that a return is not needed for the current year. It is advisable to have a tax preparer
review the current situation.
SOS offers three suggestions’ your preparer should be aware of:
1.
The latest Federal references on hand, Internal Revenue Service-IRS publication 3, (Armed Forces’ Tax Guide) IRS publication
17 (your federal income tax) and IRS publication 559 (Survivors, Executors and Administrators).
2.
Some of the principals of SBP (a taxable annuity, child only SBP is not interest or dividend income that can be claimed on th e
parent’s or guardian tax return) and the difference when compared to Death Indemnity Compensation (DIC), which is paid by
the Veterans Administration and is a non-taxable benefit.
3.
Whether the preparer has information on payments of Social Security Survivor Benefits, which maybe taxable if the total income exceeds a certain income amount.
The Internal Revenue Services (IRS) has made two changes for our 2016 Tax Filing Season:
1.
The IRS starts accepting paper and electronic filed tax returns on January 19, 2016, which is a day ahead of last season's st art
date. The date applies to anyone filing a return and differs from past years. The IRS previously implemented tiered opening
seasons based on the type of return.
2.
The tax filing deadline this year is Monday, April, 18. The tax deadline is normally April 15, unless that day falls on a weekend.
When the date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is pushed ahead to the next business day. April 15 falls on a Frid ay in
2016; however, the District of Columbia observes Emancipation Day on that date. Therefore, the IRS pushed back the deadline
three days.
As always, Schofield Barracks Survivor Outreach Services is available to guide our families as needed with their tax filings
for the 2016 tax season. The Schofield Barracks Tax Center officially opens on February 1, 2016. To set up an appointment wi th the
tax center, please contact (808) 655-1040. We will distribute any additional information regarding taxes as it is received. Pl ease contact your SOS Financial Counselor at (808) 655-7171 for any additional questions, concerns, or comments.
Teresa Hopkins
SOS/SFAC Financial Advisor
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It’s that time again! The Schofield Barracks’ Tax Assistance Center is open for the 2015 tax return season from February 1, 2016 through April 15, 2016. The Tax Center is located at
Trailer #1, Grimes Street, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857. The
Center’s hours may vary by month, but are generally as follows:
February 1-26, 2016
Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 10 AM-12 PM, 1-5 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM-12 PM, 1-7 PM


Receipts for all tax-deductible donations.

Copy of a cancelled check that includes bank routing and
account numbers for direct deposit/withdrawal.

Total amount paid for child care and the child care provider’s tax identifying number: The provider’s social security
number or the business Employer Identification Number.

Both spouses:

February 29-April 15, 2016
Monday & Friday: 10 AM-12 PM, 1-4:30 PM
Tuesday & Wednesday: 10 AM-12 PM, 1-7 PM
Thursday: 1-4:30 PM
Saturday: 10 AM-12 PM, 1-3:30 PM
What to bring to your appointment

Proof of identification

Social security cards for you, your spouse and your
dependents, or a number verification letter issued
by the Social Security Administration. Additionally,
due to recent efforts to combat identity fraud, it is
now required for you to bring both your military
and dependent ID cards, as well as your State ID
Cards or Driver’s Licenses.
To file a married filing joint tax return electronically, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms. One spouse cannot prepare the return and bring it home for the other spouse to review and sign. Spouses may come in separately to
review the return, but the return cannot be filed
until both spouses review and approve the return in
person.
Tax Assistance Services Not Provided

Sale of real estate;

More than one rental property;

Filing a Schedule C for a business that is not in-home child
care through the Family Child Care program;

Clergy/ministry expense deductions;

Schedule K-1 income from partnerships;

Birth dates for you, your spouse and your dependents.

More than 10 investment transactions - no day traders;

A copy of last year’s Federal and State returns.

Appeals of IRS decisions to Tax Courts;

Current year’s tax package, if received.

Cancellation of debt;

Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R:

Preparation of prior year returns.


Wage and earning statement(s) from all employers,
gambling winnings, etc.
Form 1098 or Form 1098-T:
For mortgage statement or similar document(s) for any
houses, condos or land you owned; or a tuition statement.

We cannot waive any of these exceptions. For services
outside of our scope, please contact a CPA or other taxpreparation service.
Documents and Forms

Form 2828: Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative

Special Power of Attorney
Information regarding any rental properties you owned:

10
Interest and dividend statements from banks, unemployed compensation, Social Security, pensions,
annuities and cancelled debts.

Thursday: 1-5 PM
Saturday: 10 AM-12 PM, 1-3:30 PM
Form 1099:
If you owned more than one property, they cannot
be owned purely as investment properties for us to
prepare and file your return. See below for “Tax
Assistance Services Not Provided.”
Any Power of Attorney used at the Tax Center must be signed
within the last three years, and specify tax filing and signing powers to prevent fraud.
IN LOVING MEMORY
OF THOSE WHO ARE
forever
PRESENT IN OUR HEARTS.
SGT Randolph Chong Tim, Jr.  2 January 2014
LT Nainoa Hoe  22 January 2005
SPC Hashim Hussein  4 January 2010
CPT Adam Mooney  25 January 2004
CPT Thomas Casey  3 January 2008
SSG Wilfredo Egipciaco  1 February 2012
CDR Matthew Lacroix  5 January 2011
PVT Joshua Arellano  8 February 2014
SGT Aaron Bennett  5 January 2012
SSG George Sablan  10 February 2012
SSG Anthony Davis  6 January 2009
SPC Cwislyn Walters  19 February 2009
SGT Drew Scobie  10 January 2014
PFC JR Salvacion  21 February 2010
SSG Trinidad Rodriquez  13 January 2011
SGT Taumaoe Aloese  22 February 2010
SGT Michael Harlan  13 January 2013
SPC Brian Tabada  27 February 2011
SFC James Kuerth  16 January 2013
COL James Lin  9 March 2009
SGT Jon Schoolcraft  19 January 2008
SFC Glenn Whetten  12 March 2010
CPL Solomon Kalua  20 January 1968
SSG Nimo Tauala  17 March 2007
CPL Toby Olsen  20 January 2007
SSG Raphael Futrell  25 March 2009
EMC Christian Jay Villanueva  20 January 2011
SGT Eugene Williams  29 March 2010
CW2 Edward Balli  20 January 2014
PFC Raymond Pacleb  29 March 2010
PFC Barney Hajiro  21 January 2011
LT Catherine Agbayani  27 March 2014
CW4 Warrnnee Bagay  7 March 2015
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